Great Bay (GIS):--- Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, Cornelius de Weever signed the Ministerial regulation to establish the Tripartite Committee, on September 30, 2011.

The Tripartite Committee (TC) serves as a consultative body on matters relating to labor market issues and topics related to the International Labor Organization. The establishment of this committee is also in line with the philosophy expressed in Convention 144 on Tripartite Consultation. Minister De Weever subscribes to engaging in social dialogue, thus consulting with the social partners. The committee has representatives of the workers organizations, employer's organizations and government.

Sint Maarten intends to as much as reasonably possible comply with international labor standards and want to do so in consultation and collaboration with the social partners.

Once the regulation is publicized, a meeting will be convened. One of the first topics that will be discussed, according to the Minister, is the policy on employment permits.

The establishment of the Tripartite Committee (TC) is to not only improve social dialogue, but also to involve and foster greater cooperation amongst the social partners—thus forming a cohesive Government, Employer and Worker partnership.

"As a country, we want to live up to our international obligations," Minister De Weever said. "and by joining hands and heads we can begin to tackle some of the important issues pertaining to our labor market, such as putting our young people to work and creating a flexible and affordable business environment that will eventually lead to the creation of more and better jobs for our people."